Texas Jury Awards $14,076 in Rear-End Collision

On May 27, 2015, an automobile collision occurred when the defendant's vehicle struck the plaintiff's car. The plaintiff immediately reported back pain, received medical care for over three months, and incurred medical bills totaling at least $5,195. The plaintiff claimed significant physical injury and emotional harm stemming from the incident.

The plaintiff filed a lawsuit on March 8, 2017, alleging the defendant breached a duty to use reasonable care and violated traffic laws. The complaint sought damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and attorney's fees. The defendant admitted to causing the collision but denied the plaintiff sustained serious personal injury, characterizing the incident as minor. The defendant also contended the plaintiff failed to state a claim for attorney's fees. A motion for summary judgment filed by the defendant on October 15, 2018, based on judicial estoppel due to the plaintiff's alleged failure to disclose the injury claim in a bankruptcy petition, was denied by the court on February 5, 2019.

The case proceeded to trial, and on February 13, 2019, a jury found in favor of the plaintiff, awarding $7,480 for pain, suffering, and treatment expenses, $6,250 for attorney's fees, and $346 for court costs. Following the verdict, the defendant filed multiple post-trial motions, including challenges to the attorney's fees award and the overall judgment. On May 16, 2019, the court granted a motion to amend and modify the judgment, reducing the total award to $13,987, but denied the defendant's motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, finding some evidence supported the attorney fees. The court also denied the plaintiff's motion for additional statutory attorney fees and ordered mandatory mediation. Further motions for attorney's fees were denied on June 29, 2020. The final award in the case was $14,076.